Genova Piazza Principe

Our guide to Genova Piazza Principe station explains what to look out for when using the station, how to access the city centre and how to reach picturesque Boccadasse 

Genova Piazza Principe is one of Italy’s most impressive train stations, by virtue of the fact that it’s one of the few major stations in Italy, not to have been re-built in the 1930s in the prevalent Art-Deco style.

USING GENOVA PIAZZA PRINCIPE TRAIN STATION:

The tracks/platforms/binari, that the majority of long distance trains will depart from/arrive at, are linked to the main entrance by two passage ways that run beneath the lines.

From the platforms/binari in the main (above ground) part of the station, one of these passage ways is accessed by stairs and a lift and the other is accessed by escalators and stairs.

However, the passage way that has lift access to/from the platforms/binari only has one escalator up into the main hall at the station - when we there it was working in the up direction.

Genova is blessed with two impressive major stations, Piazza Principe (this station) and Genova Brignole - both of which are connected to the Genova Metro, which also runs beneath the city centre.

Many trains to/from Genova/Genoa, including virtually all of the local Regionale trains call at both Piazza Principe AND Brignole stations.

So it can be worthwhile looking up the location of your final destination in the city, to check which of the two stations will best suit your needs.

Train service summmary from Piazza Principe:

Genova Piazza Principe is the city’s principle station because it is served by more long distance trains than Genova Brignole.

These train services depart from Piazza Principe:

(i) IC/Thello trains to Milano - more frequent than from Brignole

(ii) Regionale (RG/RGV) trains towards Milano - a quicker journey than from Brignole

(iii) Regionale (RG/RGV) trains to Albenga, Savona, San Remo, Ventimiglia  (more frequent than from Brignole)

(iv) IC trains to Albenga, Savona, San Remo, Ventimiglia  (much more frequent than from Brignole)

(v) Thello trains to Menton, Nice and Marseille - do NOT call at Brignole

(vi) Frecciabianca trains to Torino - faster journey than from Brignole

(vii) The morning IC trains to Torino - do NOT depart from  Brignole

(viii) Regionale Veloce trains to Torino - faster journey than from Brignole

(ix) Frecce and IC trains to La Spezia, Pisa, Livorno and Roma - slower journey than from Brignole

(x) Regionale trains to Sestri Levante and La Spezia - slower and slightly less frequent than from Brignole.

Train service summmary from Brignole:

(i) IC trains to Milano - slightly slower and less frequent than from Piazza Principe

(ii) Regionale (RG/RGV) trains towards Milano - slightly slower and less frequent than from Piazza Principe

(iii) Frecciabianca trains to Torino - slightly slower than from Piazza Principe

(iv) The new direct Frcciarossa service to Venezia/Venice which departs daily at 06:58

(v) Regionale Veloce trains to Torino - slightly slower than from Piazza Principe

(vi) Frecce and IC trains to La Spezia, Pisa, Livorno and Roma - a slightly faster journey than from Piazza Principe

(vii) Regionale trains to Sestri Levante and La Spezia - a slightly faster journey than from Piazza Principe, but also more frequent

A choice of stations:

Heading north and west:

If you are in Genova city centre and will be heading north towards Milano or Torino by train, or west towards Savona, Albenga and Ventimiglia, then head to Pizza Principe to catch your train.

There is a wider choice of trains to these destinations from Piazza Principe compared to Brignole.

Heading south:

The IC and Frecce trains between Genova and destinations to the south, including La Spezia, Pisa and Roma, call at both Piazza Principe and Brignole.

If you are heading south from Genova city centre towards La Spezia, Pisa and the Cinque Terrre stations, then take the train from Brignole station.

To Venezia/Venice:

The new Frecciarossa train to Venezia/Venice, which also calls at Brescia, Verona and Padova, departs from Brignole.